Confounded: Part I - 8. Chapter 8

The phone rang several times that afternoon, and each time the caller-id told me it was a call originating from BSL. Once the doorbell rang but the video-cam revealed a parcel delivery man. And then Mitchell changed tactics, using his mobile, a number I didn't recognize.

"Hang up and you'll be very sorry," he growled none too friendly when I picked up. "We need to talk."

"I have no idea what about," I replied, equally unfriendly, "You've got my letter of resignation; that's all I have to say."

"I have a little more to say. I'll be there around seven."
He hung up before I could say another word.

**********

He kept his word; at five minutes past seven, the video-cam beeped and revealed him, looking pissed as hell; he wouldn't take no for an answer, threatening to ring the door at all my neighbors if I didn't open the central door for him. Two minutes later he pounded on my door, and I opened; he stalked in, clearly impatient and looking very, very attractive like that. Shit.

"Close the door," he hissed, and for a little moment, I couldn't decide; then he took the choice away from me by closing it, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the living room.

"Mitchell, this is a bad idea," I said, sighing.

"It's not," he answered, letting go of me. "What the hell is going on? What is this crap about resigning? First you call in sick, then this; and all about Friday night?"

"I just think it would be better..."

"I kissed you, not the other way around; you don't see me acting all weird."

"I don't care; it happened and it's wrong. And I don't want it, either."

"Don't be stupid; I know that you liked it, and I sure did."

"You're a married man!" I yelled, pointing at his ring. "And you have a child. So I kissed you back; I got carried away into the moment for a second. I shouldn't have. Whatever‘s going on between you and your wife, go fix it."

He put his hands onto his hips and let his head hang forward for a moment; then he started to laugh, softly at first and then louder, and held up his hand.

"So this is what it's all about?"

While I watched, he turned the ring around the finger with his thumb, revealing a black onyx stone... it wasn't a wedding ring; it was a small signet ring.

"This damn thing always turns to the inside."
I closed my eyes and slowly shook my head, embarrassed.

"You thought I was married?"
Nodding, I didn't even dare look at him; god, how stupid!

"I wear it on this hand because the wedding band used to be visible, in the beginning; tan line. I never bothered switching it."
He turned it for a while, lost in thought.

"I was married, once," he admitted, "but the marriage was a farce. The only good thing that period has ever produced was my son. Sienna, my ex, got pregnant. I was young, dumb and very, very drunk and she had her eye on me for as long as I had known her. Or on my family, really, because my family has some stature in certain circles. How she managed to get me to...well, let's just say she did and that was that; she got pregnant and she forced me to marry her. I didn't dare go against her, or my father at the time, so I did."

"But..."

"Shut up."
He didn't sound angry, and he offered a gentle smile.

"After a year I divorced Sienna, and came out to my family and friends. My ex has since remarried, to another man. My son lives with them, and comes over once a month and during holidays, and stays with me. Sienna and I are good friends; that's as far as it goes. I am 100% gay. I like men. More to the point; I like you."
Jesus...how the hell could I have known all of this?

"I felt embarrassed," I said, eventually, when he remained quiet and stood there, looking at me. "I didn't want to stir up trouble in a happy marriage; I didn't want any...entanglements. And when you...when it happened, I didn't think, and afterwards I felt so guilty..."

"I understand," he said, softly. "And now?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you want an entanglement, now that you know the truth?"
I pulled up the corner of my mouth when he said it like that; then I shook my head.

"No."

"Why not? You're attracted to me; I can feel it. It radiates from you, and I feel the same way. So if that's not it; then what?"
He thought for a few moments.
"Alright," he said, suddenly, "I'll agree to it. I'll accept your resignation."